I will start by mentioning that I have read the book this season is based on, as well as most of the others. I did not love the book. It is ok, but I was not very fond of Penelope's character in the book. One thing it got right, though, was the carriage scene taking place as our main couple was fighting after Colin discovered Penelope's secret. That was actually quite awesome.
When it was announced that this season will take a different spin on the book, I was actually looking forward to the improvements made. Unfortunately, it deceived my expectations. I love the couple and I love some of the developments in this season, but...:
Drama for the sake of drama is just unimaginative. Had it at least been well-executed, it would have been ok. As things stand, I think Penelope's sisters were far better characters in this season than her. And far more charming and delightful to watch.
Then, there was that sex scene. Weird is the only way I can describe it. Not the actors (they were great) or the scene itself - but the place and time were not ideal choices, which made it feel forced.
Finally, the reveal speech was not exactly inspired, certainly not worthy of Lady Whistledown. In fact, the reveal itself was not worthy of the character.
As for Francesca, the actress is a very good choice and she is charming and quite a great fit. I can't recognize the character as portrayed in the previous series, though. I like the new Francesca but hate that she has so little of the old one. As if they had one thing in mind for her when they started the series, and then completely changed their intentions - or just had no idea what to do with Francesca in the beginning.
I also agree with other reviewers about her anticipated romance with a woman. I don't hate the idea, but the book had it better and it made far more sense for the historical period.
Yes, there are many things that are not historically accurate - most off which I love: the diversity, the music, the fashion. The bohemian lifestyle and bisexuality is most probably accurate (funny enough).
But some things simply do not fit with the time period.
That is not to say great writers could not make it work (it being the now anticipated gay romances) even in the time period.
The latest series, however, doesn't give me much hope when it comes to the script and it would be a shame for the series to become a caricature of what it once was.
I won't even discuss the speculations about Benedict's gay romance, but only because I loved his book romance too much. As I said, great writers could pull it off. I just doubt they (still) work on this show...
When it was announced that this season will take a different spin on the book, I was actually looking forward to the improvements made. Unfortunately, it deceived my expectations. I love the couple and I love some of the developments in this season, but...:
- for one, Francesca's tale takes too much focus away from them; had her part of the story been shorter, and Francesca gone by the fifth episode, it would have been far better.
- then, the writing, for several but especially the last episode was dreadful. A fanfic writer could have done a far better work. It is forced, absurd for some part, based on wishful thinking (thus not exactly believable) and just bad.
Drama for the sake of drama is just unimaginative. Had it at least been well-executed, it would have been ok. As things stand, I think Penelope's sisters were far better characters in this season than her. And far more charming and delightful to watch.
Then, there was that sex scene. Weird is the only way I can describe it. Not the actors (they were great) or the scene itself - but the place and time were not ideal choices, which made it feel forced.
Finally, the reveal speech was not exactly inspired, certainly not worthy of Lady Whistledown. In fact, the reveal itself was not worthy of the character.
As for Francesca, the actress is a very good choice and she is charming and quite a great fit. I can't recognize the character as portrayed in the previous series, though. I like the new Francesca but hate that she has so little of the old one. As if they had one thing in mind for her when they started the series, and then completely changed their intentions - or just had no idea what to do with Francesca in the beginning.
I also agree with other reviewers about her anticipated romance with a woman. I don't hate the idea, but the book had it better and it made far more sense for the historical period.
Yes, there are many things that are not historically accurate - most off which I love: the diversity, the music, the fashion. The bohemian lifestyle and bisexuality is most probably accurate (funny enough).
But some things simply do not fit with the time period.
That is not to say great writers could not make it work (it being the now anticipated gay romances) even in the time period.
The latest series, however, doesn't give me much hope when it comes to the script and it would be a shame for the series to become a caricature of what it once was.
I won't even discuss the speculations about Benedict's gay romance, but only because I loved his book romance too much. As I said, great writers could pull it off. I just doubt they (still) work on this show...
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